Steve Starr
- BetOnline favors the Houston Astros (+225) to win the 2021 National League Pennant
- The Chicago White Sox (+350) have the starting pitching that teams need in October
- Boston (+500) and Tampa Bay (+550) are embroiled in the tightest divisional race in all of baseball
The MLB trade deadline is 4 p.m. ET this Friday, meaning we can expect to see World Series contenders load up for the stretch run to lock in one of ten playoff spots across the league.
Houston (+225) and Chicago (+350) look to be the class of the American League, but Boston (+500), Tampa Bay (+550), and Oakland (+1100) all seem like sure shots to be playing October baseball. Let’s review the full board of AL contenders and be sure to refer to our MLB 2021 betting guide for further wagering tips and advice.
2021 American League Winner
 |
|
| Houston Astros | +225 |
| Chicago White Sox | +350 |
| Boston Red Sox | +500 |
| Tampa Bay Rays | +550 |
| Oakland Athletics | +1100 |
| New York Yankees | +1200 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | +1400 |
| Seattle Mariners | +3300 |
| Cleveland Indians | +4500 |
| Los Angeles Angels | +5000 |
| Minnesota Twins | +25000 |
| Detroit Tigers | +40000 |
| Kansas City Royals | +50000 |
| Baltimore Orioles | +250000 |
| Texas Rangers | +250000 |
Astros and White Sox in the ALCS?
With the best offense in the American League, the Astros (+225) have shortened their odds to win the Al Pennant since the beginning of July, however, there seems to be growing admiration for the White Sox (+350). While Chicago is still under .500 against teams with winning records this season, Tony La Russa’s club quieted their detractors by defeating the Astros in two of three games last week.
For the time being, the South Side pitching trifecta of Lance Lynn, Carlos Rodon, and Lucas Giolito is the clear class of the AL, so it stands to reason the Sox will be a tough out once Eloy Jiménez, Luis Robert, and Yasmani Grandal all return to the lineup.
The feeling in the ballpark is electric. ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/In62Rljp85
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 21, 2021
The Red Sox (+500) and Rays (+550) are in the tightest divisional race in all of baseball, with the eventual AL East winner getting to avoid a one-game Wild Card playoff to start the postseason. Tampa Bay has won 12 of 15 games since an ugly late June swoon that saw them drop 12 of 16.
Rays ace Tyler Glasnow was “lightly playing catch” recently, suggesting he at least has a chance to return from his partially torn right ulnar collateral ligament and flexor strain, and Boston’s Chris Sale should be back in the rotation soon after missing all of the 2020 season following Tommy John surgery.
It goes without saying that the health of these pitchers is key to both clubs’ chances come October.
AL Pennant Longshots
The Athletics (+1100) are comfortably holding down the second AL Wild Card spot, which should give them just the opportunity they need to fail in the postseason yet again. Last October, Oakland won their first playoff winner-take-all game in nearly 50 years against the White Sox before losing to the Astros, so there’s at least a chance the monkey is off their back.
The New York Yankees (+1200), Toronto Blue Jays (+1400), and Seattle Mariners (+3300) are the only other American League clubs that could possibly catch Oakland for the final playoff berth, but they’re all at least 7.0 games back in the race.
Players with home runs over 430+ ft in 2021:
1️⃣ Shohei Ohtani – 12
2️⃣ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 11(H/T @MLBStats) pic.twitter.com/S1bfeJ7heJ
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) July 22, 2021
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